WTM #1150: Kenny Roberts Jumpin & Yodelin /wReck thiS meSS ~ Amsterdam ~ 30.04.12 KR just died. I intended to present him with a copy of my new YODEL IN HIFI personally. But now I'll just dedicate it to him like I did YODEL-AY-EE-OOOO. The fascination: His yodeling, but also his overcoming low education & his lightness of being: gracious, grateful despite never reaching the acclaim he deserved & performing, attempting his jumping yodel – leaping, yodeling & strumming guitar simultaneously or his galloping yodel – frenetic like drum-n-bass but with voice/epiglottis – until the end. I met'm in 2006: he lived up to his reputation, embodying the joyousness that yodeling drags out of world-weary human souls. He lacked the angst-ridden soul ﻿[﻿Louvins or Delmores﻿]﻿; he'd triumphed over suffering like a Buddhist. As if by yodeling he was engaging in a type of chanting meditation that soothed the soul so that it would align bio rhythm with those of the world just under the surface.

I'm sorry you didn't get the opportunity to present JR with a copy of your new YODEL IN HIFI, bart. I'm sure he would have enjoyed it. There's something about his yodeling style that just brings a smile to one's face no matter the mood you happen to be in. Now, that's a legacy.